1. You may identify the stasis in the play but it isn’t necessarily at the beginning of the play. Where is it and who does it involve? The play begins with the trial of Dan White. Dan White is on trial for the murder of Mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk, the first openly gay office holder in San Francisco. If found guilty, White will face capital punishment. 2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
Identifying the intrusion in this play is quite complex. The intrusion most likely occurs when Dan White's confession is played to the jury. the confession makes the jury pity Dan White, and it eventually leads to his verdict of voluntary manslaughter.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
This is the day that Dan White is on trial for the murder of mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
The dramatic questions in the play are: Will justice be served to Dan White? What verdict will the jury give? What will cause the jury to reach their decision?
5. Use the two lawyers to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
The lawyer defending Dan White faces a conflict against the prosecuting lawyer. The defendant is doing everything in his power to convince the jury to give Dan White a lesser sentence, while the prosecutor is trying to convict Dan White so that he faces capital punishment. The defending lawyer also faces a conflict against society because most people feel that Dan White should be convicted. Finally, the defendant may face a conflict within himself of whether or not he us doing the right thing by defending Dan White.
The prosecuting lawyer faces a conflict against the lawyer defending Dan White. The prosecutor is doing everyone in his power to convince the jury to give Dan White capital punishment, while the defendant is trying to get Dan White a lesser sentence. The prosecutor also faces conflict with the psychiatrists who declare insanity for Dan White. By doing so, these psychiatrists gave the jury another reason to give Dan White a lesser sentence.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Execution of Justice.
The most theatrical moment in this play occurs when Dan White's verdict of voluntary manslaughter is announced. This decision is not only shocking, but also leads to violent outbreaks within the LGBT communities in San Francisco.
The play begins with the trial of Dan White. Dan White is on trial for the murder of Mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk, the first openly gay office holder in San Francisco. If found guilty, White will face capital punishment.
2. Ball points out that the intrusion sometimes occurs late in the dramatic action. What is the intrusion that breaks the stasis in Execution of Justice and how is it broken?
Identifying the intrusion in this play is quite complex. The intrusion most likely occurs when Dan White's confession is played to the jury. the confession makes the jury pity Dan White, and it eventually leads to his verdict of voluntary manslaughter.
3. Why do the events of the play take place at this particular time and place? In other words, what is the unique factor that is out of the ordinary that causes a turn of events to take place? Hint: what is the heart of the play? How does the title figure in this?
This is the day that Dan White is on trial for the murder of mayor George Moscone and supervisor Harvey Milk.
4. State the dramatic questions that must be answered by the end of the play? (Ordinarily, the dramatic question shares a close connection with the intrusion.)
The dramatic questions in the play are: Will justice be served to Dan White? What verdict will the jury give? What will cause the jury to reach their decision?
5. Use the two lawyers to answer the questions concerning character. Ball says, a character is revealed by what he/she does, ie. The dramatic actions that are taken. Examine what these particular characters wants. The wants of a character often encounter obstacles that get in the way of achieving those wants. Ball says there are 4 kinds of obstacles that frustrate the wants of a character. They are: a. Me against myself, b. Me against another individual, c. Me against society (that is law, social norms, etc.) and, d. Me against fate, the universe, natural forces, God or the gods. In answering these questions be sure to point to the particular obstacles that demonstrate these obstacles facing each of the lawyers.
The lawyer defending Dan White faces a conflict against the prosecuting lawyer. The defendant is doing everything in his power to convince the jury to give Dan White a lesser sentence, while the prosecutor is trying to convict Dan White so that he faces capital punishment. The defending lawyer also faces a conflict against society because most people feel that Dan White should be convicted. Finally, the defendant may face a conflict within himself of whether or not he us doing the right thing by defending Dan White.
The prosecuting lawyer faces a conflict against the lawyer defending Dan White. The prosecutor is doing everyone in his power to convince the jury to give Dan White capital punishment, while the defendant is trying to get Dan White a lesser sentence. The prosecutor also faces conflict with the psychiatrists who declare insanity for Dan White. By doing so, these psychiatrists gave the jury another reason to give Dan White a lesser sentence.
6. The most important information in most plays takes place during theatrical moments. Identify the most theatrical moments in Execution of Justice.
The most theatrical moment in this play occurs when Dan White's verdict of voluntary manslaughter is announced. This decision is not only shocking, but also leads to violent outbreaks within the LGBT communities in San Francisco.